Each week, we'll share a variety of videos, articles, webcasts, and more from around the web — all curated by Asia Society Texas Center staff to reflect the broad interests and goals of our mission. On Mondays, explore Business and Policy topics through a selection of videos, podcasts, and articles.

Webcast: The WTO After COVID-19: The View from China

ASIA SOCIETY POLICY INSTITUTE, May 12, 2020 — The World Trade Organization (WTO) had hoped that 2020 would be a turning point. Its Ministerial Conference was to be held in June, and members hoped progress could be made on ongoing negotiations and WTO reform. Many of those plans have been disrupted as COVID-19 spreads through the world, but experts believe that the WTO has an important role in combating the pandemic, including ensuring that supply chains for critical goods, such as medical supplies and equipment, remain open, and trade barriers for these items are eliminated. What exactly will the WTO's role be, as the world fights the virus? Will the United States and China find areas to work together, or will they remain at loggerheads on WTO issues? A conversation between China's Ambassador to the WTO, Ambassador Zhang Xiangchen and ASPI Vice President Wendy Cutler.

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Video: Health Surveillance and Privacy in the Era of COVID-19

ASIA SOCIETY NEW YORK, May 4, 2020 — Across the world, governments and public health authorities have started to deploy surveillance tools to contain COVID-19. However, efforts to build a contact tracing framework has been marred by unsettling questions about health surveillance, and the legal and regulatory challenges governments and corporations face in protecting citizens' privacy and freedom. In some countries, cases of local authorities publicizing the names and addresses of coronavirus patients have further inflamed the public's fears about the government's encroachment on civil rights. In light of this, how can governments and corporations make the best use of their surveillance powers, while ensuring privacy is protected in the era of COVID-19? Looking into the future, what are some of the long-term impacts of digital surveillance across the globe?

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Video: Standing Against Racism in the Time of COVID

ASIA SOCIETY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, May 3, 2020 — Asia Society Southern California hosts a special virtual event to raise awareness and combat the escalating violence and intolerance towards those of Asian descent and other communities of color following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Panelists include Lisa Ling, Van Jones, Rep. Ted Lieu (D–CA), Wang Leehom, Janet Yang, and more. They discuss and explore the impact of coronavirus-related racism, government and public responses to preventing discrimination, and the significance of renaming engaged and empowered within our own communities.

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Video: Japan's Role in a Changing World

ASIA SOCIETY SWITZERLAND, April 21, 2020 — It was supposed to be a big year for Japan with the return of the Olympic Games to Tokyo this summer. But now, the coronavirus pandemic has cast the near-term outlook for the country — as for every other one — into doubt. More long-term shifts had been underway already before: A rapidly aging society, deep economic reforms ("Abenomics"), and a fast-changing geopolitical environment. Japan is in the middle of a deep transformation both domestically and internationally. How are the country's society and politics dealing with the coronavirus outbreak? What does the global crisis mean for its reform agenda and growth prospects? And what role can Japan play in a changing and more diverse Asia vis-à-vis a stronger and more assertive China? A discussion with Professor Tomohiko Taniguchi, Special Advisor to Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

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Business and Policy programs are endowed by Huffington Foundation. We give special thanks to Bank of America, Muffet Blake, Anne and Albert Chao, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Nancy Pollok Guinee, United Airlines, and Wells Fargo, Presenting Sponsors of Business and Policy programs; Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, and Leslie and Brad Bucher, Presenting Sponsors of Exhibitions; Dr. Ellen R. Gritz and Milton D. Rosenau and Wells Fargo, Presenting Sponsors of Performing Arts and Culture; and Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Presenting Sponsor of the Japan Series. General support of programs and exhibitions is provided by The Brown Foundation, Inc., The Hearts Foundation, Inc., Houston Endowment, Inc., the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, McKinsey & Company, Inc., National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, Vinson & Elkins LLP, and Mary Lawrence Porter, as well as Friends of Asia Society.

About Asia Society at Home

Though Asia Society is temporarily closed, we are dedicated to continuing our mission of building cross-cultural understanding and uplifting human connectivity. Using digital tools, we bring you content for all ages and conversations that matter, in order to spark curiosity about Asia and to foster empathy.

About Asia Society Texas Center

With 13 locations throughout the world, Asia Society is the leading educational organization promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among the peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and West. Asia Society Texas Center executes the global mission with a local focus, enriching and engaging the vast diversity of Houston through innovative, relevant programs in arts and culture, business and policy, education, and community outreach.